DISCLAIMER: Characters of Veronica Mars, any recognizable dialogue, and the canon events of their storyline belong to Rob Thomas.

A/N:

I had hoped to have this chapter up weeks ago – but then the world turned upside down. Which means that for now, my work days are even longer ... and I lose track of what day it is.

Sorry I haven't had time to reply to comments on various fics. I will try to get to that. Thanks for taking the time to comment – it makes my day. Seriously.

Anyway, enjoy this chapter! It's a bit happier and more light-hearted than some chapters in this series.

[

Occurs between mid-December 2006 and early January 2007.

(In other words, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! And a happy birthday to Mac.)


Chapter 13

About a week before Christmas, Eli picked me up for "date night" – announcing that the primary activity for the evening would be shopping. Christmas shopping, to be exact.

He had been so busy with work that he let things go until the last minute. But he was so excited to go shopping this year, because he actually had a little extra cash. Hard-earned cash.

As we drove to the mall, he talked about his gift ideas. "I'd like you to take some photos at the family dinner on Sunday. And also on Christmas. I'm going to give them frames as gifts, with the promise that they will get the printed photos soon. It can be from both of us, if you want."

"That sounds great," I replied.

"I wanna get something extra for my grandma. Gonna need your help with that. I'm trying to decide between jewelry or something new for her kitchen."

"I'd go with something practical. She'll use it every day and think of you."

"Also need to shop for the cousins, nieces, and nephews I'm closer to, like Ophelia. And of course, you."

"I'll be happy with anything you get me."

With his eyes on the road, he reached over to pick up my hand and kissed it. "And you're all the gift I need."

[

After spending a couple hours shopping, we stopped to get Chinese take out and drove back to his place.

We watched It's a Wonderful Life and White Christmas while eating dinner and wrapping presents.

At one point, he handed me a box, saying, "Wrap this in your favorite paper and put your name on the label."

I looked at the size and shape of the box, trying to figure out what it might be. During our shopping trip, I had pointed out several things I liked, and he had asked about several others. Just before we went to the car, we split up for about 15 minutes – I assume he was buying something for me.

He laughed at me as I inspected the box. "Don't even try to guess. I put a box within a box within a box."

Damn. Shaking it didn't help either. I'd have to wait a week to find out what he got me.

[

After we had finished wrapping – and cleaning up – he handed me a gift bag. Seeing the confused look on my face, he said, "Just a little something I got for myself."

Reaching into the bag, I removed the tissue paper and looked inside. Pulling out the garment and holding it up in front of myself, I said, "I don't think it's your size."

"It's not. But it should be yours." The hunger in his eyes apparent, he added, "Now go put it on, so I can unwrap my present: you."

Lingerie. Not at all the style I would have picked for myself, but I had to say that I liked how it looked. And he seemed to enjoy unwrapping me.

[

[

The next few days, I didn't see Eli much. He was trying to make sure that things got finished up at the shop so his guys could take some time off to be with their families.

I used that time to help Dad get caught up at the office. My plan was to do the same at Eli's shop the following week – spending time together and being productive at the same time. I understood all too well that business owners always have something that needs to be done. And I was happy to help Eli stay ahead of the papers that inevitably pile up.

[

[

Dad and I had lunch together on Christmas Eve, just the two of us. Then he headed over to the Fennel house about the same time that I drove to Letty's house.

Spending Christmas Eve with the Navarro family was wonderful. Absolutely wonderful.

Dinner was delicious. Everyone brought a dish and a dessert. There were so many kinds of cookies and other sweet treats; I think I gained weight just looking at my options.

A couple hours later, the younger cousins got ready for bed. The older cousins kept an eye on them while some of the parents went back to their houses to deal with presents – some of which had to be put together.

Later, the older family members gathered again for midnight mass at St. Mary's. The music and the candles created a magical atmosphere. "Silent Night" had never sounded so beautiful.

Eli tried to talk me into spending the night at his place, but I had promised Dad that I would be home for Christmas morning. Dad wanted us to spend a little time together and then go over to the Fennel house for a while before I disappeared yet again to spend time with Eli's family.

As complicated as my holiday plans might seem, it was nothing compared to Mac's schedule – both sets of her parents, plus spending time with Casey, who was home during break.

[

[

The next morning, I awoke to the smell of breakfast – mmm, bacon. Dad and I stayed in our PJs, enjoying breakfast and opening presents. It was nice to have this time alone with him. Although I love Eli, and Mac and Wallace, I will never love anyone like I love my dad. And even though things with him and Alicia have been going great – and it seems our families might merge at some point in the future – he intentionally makes time for me. It was always that way – even more so after Mom left. Just one of the many things I appreciated about my father. Although there are more people in our lives now, "daddy-daughter time" remains a fixture in our family unit.

[

When we got over to Wallace's house, he was busy helping Darrell find batteries for one toy while interpreting directions for another. As Dad made a beeline for Alicia, I sat down and joined in the brotherly fun.

I spent a few hours with them, including eating a second breakfast while they had their first. Alicia's cinnamon buns were amazing – and not to be missed!

About the time we were clearing the table, Eli arrived to pick me up. Not surprisingly, he got down on the floor to check out Darrell's gifts. He and Wallace talked while they played as if the new toys were for them.

Then, Eli drove us over to Letty's house for an afternoon of playing video games, Legos, and dolls. Although spending extended amounts of time with children was not something I had ever had the desire to do, it warmed my heart to watch Eli with his cousins, as well as Wallace with his brother.

Most of the time we were at Letty's house, I played cards with her and helped out in the kitchen.

Later, as the kids were approaching bedtime, Eli leaned toward me to whisper in my ear: "We should get going. I haven't given you your gift yet."

Shortly after that, we said our goodbyes and headed out.

[

Eli had not bothered to put up a tree in his apartment; he figured he didn't need his own since he would be spending his time working or with family. However, I got him a small prelit tree that sat on the end table next to his couch.

Little by little, he had been buying furniture and other items for his apartment. After a couch and coffee table, other recent purchases had been a tv and game system. He was looking forward to some time off to play games here, where his cousins would not interrupt him.

That was the inspiration for my gift.

As he sat down on the couch with drinks in hand, I got an envelope out of my bag. After he handed me a glass, I handed him the envelope. I watched as he opened it and then looked at the picture and note inside.

"It should be delivered tomorrow," I said.

"I love it!"

I was so glad to hear him say that. It had been a struggle to decide what to get him. In the end, I bought him a recliner where he could relax and play videogames at the end of a long day. (Dad had just finished a job for a local store, and in addition to paying him for his time, they offered him a discount during the holidays. I was all too happy to take advantage of their kindness because it allowed me to get an extravagant gift for my boyfriend.)

"I suppose you want your gift now." He smirked at me.

"That is why we came back here. Right?"

"It's under the tree."

"You mean under the end table where you put the tree I gave you," I teased.

"That's what I said: Under the tree."

As I took a few steps past him to get to the box I had wrapped a week ago, I smacked him on the leg. I sat on the floor and prepared to open multiple boxes to get to my gift.

He hadn't told me how many boxes, but I soon found out that there were three. And inside the third was a bracelet I had tried on while we were at the mall.

I would have loved anything he gave me, but I had really hoped that he would get this for me. It was simple and beautiful – and it would remind me of him every time I moved my arm or looked at my hand.

As he put it on my wrist, he said, "That's why I had to do the box-in-a-box thing. You would have seen the shape of the box and known it was the bracelet."

"Thank you," I said before kissing him.

"I thought about paying for you to get a tattoo." He paused and looked at me. "Did I just see your eyes light up? Is that something you'd want?"

Playing with my new bracelet, I shrugged and said, "Someday."

[

[

Before I left home Christmas morning, I had packed a bag, planning to stay with Eli during his days off. Dad didn't make too much of a fuss, but he was noticeably uncomfortable with the arrangement.

For the next few days, Eli and I alternated between his bed – sleeping and not sleeping – and his office – organizing and getting caught up on paperwork.

The last night I was there, we stayed up late having "marathon sex." When we finally we settled in to go to sleep, he nuzzled my neck and spoke from his heart.

He thanked me for making an effort to change, for taking a step back from working cases, for letting my dad do the dangerous stuff. He liked how things had been the past couple weeks – the domesticity of it all. Time with family. Hanging out together. What he was most thankful for was that my actions (or lack of action) had given him "the best gift possible" – not having to worry about me.

I wasn't sure what to say to all of that. So I remained silent.

[

[

Mac's official birthday had already come and gone. She had celebrated with the MacKenzies in the way they always had. But the Sinclairs wanted to throw her a party. Mac wasn't sure what to do with that. First, she wanted to make sure that the Mackenzies wouldn't be upset. But she also wanted to make sure that the Sinclairs knew that she would not want to same kind of party they had thrown for Madison.

When Mac finally felt comfortable with everything, she told the Sinclairs that she would like the party to be around New Year's – when Casey would be home and Jackie would be visiting her dad. She gave them a small guest list, as well as a list of things she wanted and did not want.

It was amazing to watch her navigate all this family stuff. Even though she often felt unsure and pressured, she handled it all with grace.

I have to admit that it was a bit weird to go to the Sinclairs house at the same time of year they would have hosted Madison's annual bash.

Mac's circle of friends is much smaller. Therefore, her party was more intimate – and more family-friendly.

The event started in the afternoon with everyone in and around the pool. There was lots of food and music was playing (though few people danced). At Mac's request, there was a wide selection of board games and puzzles on several tables that were set up on the large patio.

Her brother and new sister seemed happy to be included in the celebration; they played games together and seemed to get along well. The Mackenzies were there for the first few hours. As it got later, the kids and the adults disappeared, allowing Mac to spend time with her closest friends.

Casey, of course, was in attendance. He had gotten home a couple weeks earlier, but this was the first I had seen him.

Wallace and Jackie spent most of the time coupled off in the pool and on the dance floor.

Mac had gotten to know Duncan as fellow investors in Eli's shop. So when she found out that he and Meg would be down for a visit, she invited them.

Her roommate Parker spent quite a bit of time talking with Logan. They seemed to hit it off. They had met the night we went bowling, but I don't think they had spent much time together since.

It was a little strange to be at an 09er house with this diverse group of friends. It made me think how much my life had changed in the past few years. Before Lilly's murder, I would never have believed that this group of people would willingly coexist, let alone celebrate together.

As the party was winding down, Eli and I sat together on a bench in the back yard. I was looking up at the stars and letting my thoughts drift.

"What's going through that head of yours, Mia?"

"Just thinking that there's a distinct lack of chaos and drama in recent days."

"Kind of nice, isn't it?"

Maybe I'm an adrenaline junkie, because as nice as the holidays had been … honestly, I kind of missed the rush.


A/N:

This chapter is the calm before the storm; the next will build up to some drama. (Consider yourself warned.)

Although I have a detailed outline for Chapter 14, it is only partially written. I will try to get to that soon. (Feel free to pester me. It will remind me to use writing as a break from work – which I will need. A lot. TIA)

Stay well!

Until next time …

~Jen

3 April 2020